Kaid stopped time for the moment as Persephone approached the Empress, arms extending slightly for a warm embrace. He took the opportunity to walk around the young woman, examining every inch of her for danger. In this entire room, despite what he knew of Duke Grotto, everything Kaid learned in the past hour or so meant that the most dangerous person in the room right now was Persephone. All the questions that must have been racing through Jess' mind were in Kaid's. How, who, when...he supposed it didn't matter.

What did matter was how did Payne not disclose this, not know? Unless he did.

Persephone was clean of anything physically harmful, in fact she didn't look like she ever touched weapons at any time. Her fingers were soft, not a cut or indent on them, no bruises showing anywhere on her fair skin. Even Jessamine, an Empress, still had very faint scars or marks during her days of training that no makeup could cover. Only someone as observant, and someone who had all the time in the world to make those observations would really notice.

When Kaid snapped away, feeling the shroud being pulled off from his mind, the two women embraced each other warmly. That was the one of many differences between men and women. A man could dislike another and at any gathering like this, they would acknowledge each other with a nod or greeting, and that would be it. No matter what history laid between two women, as long as they knew each other, they would embrace each other under false pretenses. Kaid didn't know if that was a society issue or rather just the idea that all women should, and needed, to get along.

Jessamine had a soft smile during the embrace, a strained soft smile. Kaid knew this was a shock to her as it was to him, but neither could express that. They were being watched, heard, and most certainly infiltrated at the moment. Arryn didn't look too pleased, her fingers gently massaging her temple for the moment, thinking Kaid wouldn't notice. Arryn couldn't beat Jessamine, that much was certain, which meant she'd go for her next target.

"You look absolutely stunning, Empress," Persephone admired warmly, her hands still resting on Jessamine as she slightly pulled away. Oddly enough, Kaid didn't sense a flicker of animosity or anger from the woman, as if she didn't even remember.

Maybe she didn't.

"Oh darling, you're the spectacular one here," Jessamine returned with a warm smile.

In another life, they would have been sisters bonded by a marriage. Even before the cataclysmic event, they considered themselves such. Now, such matters were uncertain.

"And you must be Kaid. I've heard so much about you," Persephone pulled away from Jessamine slightly, glancing at the man standing beside her before her cheeks blushed faintly. Jessamine's smile faded immediately.

"Not too much, I hope," he replied with the same warm smile, minus any blushing. Persephone extended her hand, curving it as an introduction. Kaid's eyes immediately glanced to the side, to Jessamine, as if asking for permission. There was nothing in the rulebook about a Guardian having to be introduced to ladies as such. Jessamine merely bit the inside of her lip and gave the slightest nod. Kaid took her gentle hand and pressed it to his lips, only seeing the smile on Persephone's face widen.

"I like a man with secrets," she replied, now glancing back at the both of them, "you must be starving, please, let us sit and enjoy the evening."

Kaid moved to pull Jessamine's end table chair away, the Empress smiling always at her Guardian's politeness before sitting. He brushed his hand very gently and unnoticeably across the back of her neck, understanding the amount of pressure this entire situation created. Kaid sat beside her, Persephone beside him, Grotto at the other end and Arryn directly across Persephone.

He stared down at the food, not sure exactly what to do or where to start. Jessamine was taking her time adding a small amount of seafood to her plate, although by the look on her face, she had lost her appetite as well, for much different reasons than Kaid. A servant walked over with a bottle of wine, going first to the Empress. She refused, already having a drink beforehand, but she whispered something gently with a smile and the man nodded. He poured wine for everyone else, even Kaid, before leaving. The servant left immediately towards the kitchen in a slight hurry, everyone noticing.

"Is the food not satisfactory enough, Empress?" Grotto asked, concern laced in his tone.

"Quite the contrary, however, Kaid here is rather sensitive to uncooked food. I merely requested a filet to be cooked for him, if you don't mind. Otherwise it will just be the lobster for him," Jessamine sipped her water. Even with everything going on, she somehow seemed to notice his worry about dinner. The last thing Kaid had wanted was to eat this and be sick for an entire day.

"Is that because of Caladin?" Arryn asked, both Grotto and Persephone surprised by the boldness. This was feeling a lot more than mind games, this felt like a pressure cooker ready to explode, all it needed was a match. Whether Arryn read about the news in the Vitross papers, or found the information by her own means, it didn't matter. She knew, and there was no denying such information.

"It is, yes," Kaid answered, doing his best to not let his memories sway towards that wretched prison, "the adjustment is still taking some time."

"Well, I think it makes for a wonderful, heroic story, Kaid. What happened must have taken a lot of bravery. There is no need to speak of such here, this is your new life, let the old be written in song or stories of glory," Persephone smiled, slicing into the spine of her lobster with precision and ease, "let us all move on from the drudgery of the past and into this new future."

Yes, let's, Kaid and Jessamine both thought.

The talking between that was all small talk, mostly about Arryn given she was not shy to speak of her past, present, and future. Arryn was from Arilla, from a family of risk investors that had gotten rich from buying a whaling business. Whale oil, flubber, and all the in between was in the market, a market her family had jumped on first. Arryn had no interest in such business other than its spoils, but was interested in all things ocean, which is how she ended up meeting the Duke.

They said it was love at first sight. Kaid liked to think there was no such thing, but he'd be deceiving himself. However, Arryn had a greater love for other things, money being most of it. There was something more transactional than romantic, but Kaid had a feeling a lot of relationships were like that in this realm of politics. Arryn wanted money, a place close to the sea, and the Duke wanted something in return. A child, perhaps? One who didn't have the risk of falling into insanity at a moment's notice, one who wasn't seen as a liability, or a tool to be used. Right now, Persephone was feeling a lot like an improvised apparatus which displeased Kaid.

His fish had finally arrived, cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. He would definitely have to thank Jessamine for being mindful and considerate. Kaid did take a sip of his wine finally, the sour taste almost breaking his stoic expression. The slightest smirk on the edge of Jessamine's lips made Kaid realize she was still watching him.

"Empress-"

"Please, Grotto, there is no need for the title here. Jessamine will do just fine," she interrupted, looking him square in the eyes. One of the many things Kaid admired about Jessamine was her ability to stare into a man's eyes. Even when talking with Persephone or even Christine sometimes, they seemed shy to gaze, as if they were worried to look into Kaid's eyes. Men were quite known for staring, establishing that realm of invisible yet physical dominance within a room. Jessamine met it head on, turned the uncomfortableness around against its creator.

"Jessamine," Grotto nodded, taking a deep breath, "Persephone has plenty of plans for us this weekend. I hope you don't mind, given we all know you like to settle your work quickly. But I figured we would only need the last day, third day, to negotiate. The other days should be filled with nostalgia and enjoyment, think of it as a relaxing vacation almost before the work needs to get done."

More like going through unresolved business, before they got to the real business.

"That is quite a pleasant idea. Here I was, thinking we'd be negotiating for three days. I, too, find that amount of time absurd. I believe we can come to reasonable accommodations in a matter of hours," Jessamine agreed with a smile, "what do you have planned for us, Seph?"

Persephone seemed excited, but paused only momentarily at the use of her nickname, one not used for quite some time. But one blink and that feeling of terror that seized her nerves was gone, her excitement bubbling up again.

"Yes, tomorrow we will show them the main island and city. Of course we'd be escorted, there is nothing to worry about. There's clothes, jewelry, food, everything you could think of. You must try the salted ice cream, or the wild roasted pork. Also what better way to relax than some time at our private beach, sun high in the sky, soft sand, and a warm ocean. Kaid, do you know how to swim?" she asked, Kaid almost missing the question with how fast she was talking.

"I, uh, not particularly well," Kaid replied. Trials had taught him to swim to survive, as he did have more than a few trials that involved having to swim. However, he wasn't really keen on the idea ever since Payne and the Dreamer, Dr. Vyper. Sometimes he still remembered what that torture felt like, to drown without a glimpse of the surface, the way his mind begged for air.

"That's alright, I can teach you," she offered warmly, "and the day after, we can all go sailing, show you all the attractions and animal life. Kaid, I can't wait for you to see the whales, or if we get lucky, even the dolphins. They are such beautiful animals, and Jessamine's favorite. You'll love sailing too. You look rather strong and capable Kaid, I think we can turn you into a sailor in no time-"

"Persephone," Arryn interrupted firmly, as if directing her to calm down. It seemed to make the young woman swallow, understanding that her excitement got a little ahead of herself. Kaid didn't think anyone should have shut down her enjoyment over talking, as he thought it rude. But it seemed Arryn felt 'responsible' in correcting such behavior.

"Oh, Jessamine, I almost forgot, your aunt requested dinner that evening if you don't mind," Grotto spoke up, "just you of course, and I suppose Kaid."

"I don't mind at all. I was planning on showing Kaid the 'Sand Castle' anyways," she replied, a bit of surprise on her face, "I'd be more than happy to have dinner with her."

"It's what we used to call her mother's small palace as children," Persephone whispered to Kaid, as if answering his internal question.

"Seph, I appreciate you taking the time to set this up for us. I look forward to everything you can show us and spending time with you," Jessamine spoke in a tone Kaid knew to be very genuine, not that overly sweet tone he knew to be a charade. Persephone seemed to be just as surprised, but nodded with a smile.

"You two must be exhausted, I can show you to your room," Arryn stood, signaling the end of dinner. Kaid stood first, gathering the plate he used to stack on top of the other empty ones around him. He always found it easier for the servants to carry and stack if he had prepared it for them. Persephone started at the motion, intrigued but remained silent. To Jessamine, it was just another thing about Kaid she loved, and she often found herself mimicking the action as well after their dinners together.

"Goodnight, Persephone," Kaid smiled at her before nodding to the Duke, "Goodnight, sir."

"I look forward to getting to know you, Kaid," Persephone's sweet voice echoed in his ears as he followed Jessamine and Arryn down the long halls. The tall guard walked behind him, Kaid knowing immediately it was the one Jessamine had pointed out to have rather extraordinary hearing. He wouldn't be able to take watch the whole night, but Kaid could guarantee he would wait at their doors until it was clear both of them were asleep.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

If they could even get some sleep tonight.

"As always, every palace under the Empire's reign must always have accommodation for the Emperor or Empress when she arrives, along with a Guardian suite," Arryn smiled, "three guards will also be stationed by the door at all times. If you need anything, they can retrieve it for you."

"Thank you kindly, Arryn," Jessamine bowed to her, entering the room. Kaid wished her goodnight before following as well. The room was beautiful, sandy architecture, colored carpets and rugs draping the floors, red curtains covering the balcony doors. It sure was a room fit for royalty.

Kaid took this time to do what any Guardian should, and that meant searching the entire room, both his and hers. His first manner of things was locking the door behind them before inspecting the balcony. All balconies had to have a least a twenty foot gap from another one, besides one shared with a Guardian. This would prevent any decent climber from getting anywhere close from the outside. He locked both balcony doors before moving on, checking the bathrooms, inspecting everything from the showers, tubs, countertops, and air vents. Everything was according to how it should. Kaid checked under his bed, finding nothing before moving back to Jessamine's room.

Jessamine stood there, clutching her gut with a shaky hand as if she were turning physically ill. Not from the food, either, but the final acknowledgement of the scenario. Her friend, her sister, whom she had turned insane, was insane no longer. Her neck strained, just like the night of her birthday celebration, her breathing shallow and rapid. An intense dread washed over her, an onslaught of panic in her eyes that gazed at the floor overcoming her. Kaid immediately walked over to touch her wrist, wanting to calm her from this attack.

"Get your fucking hands off me!" She whispered harshly before blinking and realizing who she had just said that to. Kaid's surprise wasn't one he could hide, which only added to the overwhelming guilt Jessamine was feeling right now. Kaid had let go of her the second she commanded it of him, pulling back with worry still showing in his eyes.

"Jess, it's going to be okay," he whispered, wanting her to take a moment to breathe, to find something to ground her. He knew she could normally take control of her own mind and force it to calm down. But, given everything that was happening, maybe she didn't feel that as an option. The last thing she wanted to do was infiltrate a mind, even if it was her own.

"Go to bed, Kaid," she muttered quietly in reply, her eyes finally looking at him. Her words were both apologetic but also commanding, a warning if he chose to stay and try to fight this with her. She didn't want him to, and there was a reason for that. This was her decision, her guilt, and right now she had to face it alone. Kaid would firmly disagree, but this was her decision, a boundary she formed very quickly.

"Of course, Empress," Kaid nodded, tempted for just a moment to kiss her forehead, do anything to provide a slightly lasting comfort for her. But he had to respect her wishes, and right now that was letting her stand here to figure everything out, alone. He couldn't hide his disappointment, but he would be here whenever she felt ready to talk, if she ever did. Kaid felt her soft gaze follow him out of the room, Kaid closing the door that adjoined their rooms slowly.

It was the one door he'd never lock or secure.

Kaid awoke to the sound of that door opening followed by the soft ocean breeze. He could smell the salt as soon as the wind carried it. His eyes opened slowly, seeing the colors of the sunrise pouring into the room and his head hurt, a fuzziness inside it from all the thinking of the night before. How long he laid there, thought about their situation, he couldn't really recall. How many hours he received of sleep he wasn't sure either, but he had a feeling it was minimal.

Kaid turned to his backside, seeing Jessamine unlocking the door to his balcony to let the breeze in. Her hair was long and loose again, blowing slightly in the wind, looking dark in the shadows the same as the slight color under her eyes from lack of sleep. But her demeanor looked calm, quite the opposite from the hours prior. She stood, wearing nothing but...the top layer of his black kaftan, the one he wore at her birthday celebration.

"I've been wondering where that was," Kaid spoke, his morning voice deep and scratchy, most likely adjusting to the weather change.

Jess turned, glancing over at him with the slightest of simpers, her fingers going to the tie around her upper thighs. On Kaid, that would reach his waist or just above, on her it looked more like a short summer dress. To be fair, she wore it rather well.

"I can give it back if you'd like," she spoke, untying it completely, revealing very subtly that she was definitely not wearing underneath it, at least on her top half. The motion made Kaid freeze, his mind going a million places before blinking, remembering this was the same woman who had been having an anxiety attack just last night. Besides, they didn't have the time, nor the privacy, to indulge in anything like that. He could tell it was only a tease, a moment she could feel comfortable with him in a way he could understand.

"No, I think it looks better on you than me," Kaid replied, looking her dead in the eyes, seeing her smile widen a bit more at the compliment.

"Apologies for waking you up early, and for last night, but we have business to conduct. I will need your help within the hour, if you don't mind," she explained, "take the moment to get ready, enjoy the view."

Which view she meant, he wasn't quite certain, but he waited for her to leave the room to get ready before getting up. Kaid did his morning daily stretches, letting his spine and mind decompress before finally going to the balcony to enjoy that view. The sun was just slightly above the water horizon, gleaming and reflecting its beauty. The city looked already to be bustling, people making their way to the harbor or workplace. The sandy and white beauty of this place contrasted with that of Vitross, it was almost hard to believe they were within the same Empire.

Kaid got ready, wearing a white linen shirt that would be perfect enough to shade his skin from the sun but also breathable with the heat. His sword folded perfectly into his beltline, covered by the edge of his shirt and practically concealed. A Guardian must always wear comfortable shoes as well, given one could never know when or where a fight could occur. Sandals or anything of the like would have to wait until the beach. Kaid didn't feel excited, at least not anymore as he had to think while getting dressed. While the idea of exploring a new world was stimulating to him, he had to remember to not let his guard down or not forget the severity of the situation.

"Would you zip me up, please?" Jessamine asked softly, standing in the doorway, gently clutching the emerald green summer dress at her chest.

"Always," Kaid replied with a smile, seeing her turn around. His fingers gently grasped the zipper, always having to be mindful how fragile these contraptions could be before he zipped it all the way up to her neck. Kaid made sure to brush any stray hairs, despite it being wrapped in a tight bun, just in case it got entangled with the zipper. In doing so, his hand moved to her neck, letting it rest there, his thumb brushing near the underside of her jaw.

Her body relaxed from the fondling action, a free hand moving up to caress his hand around the back of her neck, silently thanking him. She was also letting him know that she was okay, better than last night. Jessamine turned around slowly, their hands falling before she began adjusting the collar to his shirt, and then the buttons. She made sure to unbutton the top three, giving his neck some room to breathe and maybe a bit of his chest.

"I'm sorry for last night," she whispered.

"You have nothing to apologize for," he spoke normally, before seeing her shake her head, approaching him even closer.

"We must talk like this, otherwise that guard will hear," she hushed, her hands adjusting his belt to make sure it was perfectly straight and symmetric to his body, "this is how we have to operate for the time being. The mission Payne gave us, we shouldn't discuss it, not until the final night between the two of us."

"Why not?" Kaid asked, his eyes glancing down at her.

"To not compromise anything. Arryn cannot enter my mind, she was poorly trained and is rather weak compared to me. She doesn't know that though. I'm only allowing her to see, feel, know the things I want her to. But she is getting to know you. If I tell you, and you know, so could she. It's best we wait," she explained, Kaid nodding in understanding, "Arryn is worried about you. You're a puzzle piece she doesn't quite know where you fit yet. She believes your kindness and generosity to be a front, that you're hiding your true self."

"Maybe I am," he shrugged, only teasing before he saw that beautiful, reassuring smirk of hers.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" she teased back. She knew the truth though. The only violence he craved was towards Caladin, and maybe one day he'd get that wish. Otherwise, he treated everyone with respect, and most of all, treated her with the utmost compassion.

"Not at all, you know everything about me," he laughed softly, his eyes gleaming into hers.

"I'd kiss you right now if I didn't spend so much time on this makeup," she whispered, that smile still on her slightly red lips as her eyes glanced at his own lips, "but I'm afraid we must keep that on the downlow too, for Persephone's sake. She's growing fond of you."

"I don't think that is a very good thing," Kaid hinted, wondering just briefly if Jessamine was a rather jealous woman. Not that he minded. He got rather jealous when a man stared at her too fondly, but he was confident enough to know she didn't have her eyes on anyone else, and neither did he.

"It's all part of the game," she replied, her hand grabbing his to squeeze, clearing her throat to stop whispering, "Are you ready?"

"Always, Empress," he nodded, taking the moment to reminisce the feeling of his fingers intertwined with hers before it became a shell of the past.

The streets were very similar to Vitross, along with its people here. Their skin wasn't as pale, given the sun kissed their skin every day, but their manners were still polite. Like any city, the presence of an Empress being escorted brought a few people on edge, but most people were rather friendly despite the scowls of any guard on security detail. Jessamine stood ahead with Grotto and Arryn, who explained a lot of the differences since she was last here, a whole new district in the southern and eastern part of the wide island. The place was growing and so was its economy.

By now they had exited the main part, heading towards the calmer side of the city, away from the fresh markets and clothing boutiques and into a more rural path. From what Kaid remembered when gazing from his patio, it was just a looped path that would eventually lead them back, but it was a decent stroll through the vague wilderness of the green trees, allowing a shaded conversation.

"You and the Empress seem rather close," Persephone observed, expelling Kaid from his own thoughts, "back at the perfume shop." Kaid then remembered the moment, Jessamine smelling a bottle before asking for Kaid's opinion of the scent. Of course the perfume smelled good but then he mentioned he would have to smell it on her skin. After all, even he knew perfume would smell different on every woman, and while Kaid already enjoyed her natural smell, the perfume did seem to compliment that nicely.

"She often asks my opinion about things, mostly as a learning experience for me. There are plenty of things I am unaware of or know little about, things the books I read talk rarely about," Kaid explained, hoping that moment in time didn't hinder any progress on his objective.

"Of course, there are lessons in life that can't always be found in books," she responded with a smile, "I just meant, well, it was already shocking she had to choose a Guardian. I'm just pleased she found someone she gets along with."

"She's not a woman who needs much protection. I think I merely exist for the company," Kaid replied, smiling back. He immediately felt Persephone's soft, bony fingers grab his, his stomach sinking at the feeling. She was a sweet girl, and maybe this was her way of showing a friendly interaction, but Kaid knew he had to tread carefully.

Jessamine had glanced back momentarily, just to see if the two stragglers were still following. Her eyes gazed upon the gesture, before glancing up at Kaid and biting her lip. Whether it was out of frustration, jealousy, or withholding a playful smile, Kaid wouldn't know. She was far too caught up in whatever conversation she was having ahead.

"You do make rather decent company, Kaid," she observed.

"Did you think the same of Alec?" Kaid asked, breaking the illusion between them. Her smile faded, her eyes serious, the real her showing. The cluelessness in her eyes turned into torment, as if trying to piece together. Jessamine would do whatever it took to obtain blackmail from Grotto. He now understood he had to get it from her, to earn her trust and understanding.

"I did, but he didn't think the same of me," she responded, still holding his fingers, "is it true that he left?"

The question left Kaid puzzled, as if he had never heard that before. He assumed, based on the newspapers, what people thought of Jessamine, and just like everyone else in her life that Alec was dead. Then again, the last stroll he took in the Vitross cemetery didn't hint to that.

"You don't know, do you? I'm surprised she didn't tell you everything," Persephone almost laughed, astounded by that revelation.

"Jessamine tells me what I need to know, when I need to know it," he replied, although even he couldn't help but wonder.

"So...we're both tools," she scoffed, "we are both hammers, both of them are the hands. The only thing that should concern us is the nail."

The illusion was broken, the idea the both of them could merely move on from the past. The only thing both of them could do was play their part. Persephone believed they needed each other, only because she believed she'd be discarded once her use was up. She believed Jessamine would do the same to him but Kaid knew that to be a lie. He wasn't a tool, just as Jessamine wasn't the hand. For now, Persephone could pursue the semblance of establishing jealousy if it meant Kaid got something in return.

"When Death arrives, we do not fear the scythe but rather Death itself," Kaid replied, seeing her nod, "which is why it's best we focus on life, our life, the things we can control. Alec would have at least wanted you to be happy."

"Hm," she hummed in response, taking the moment to glance at him, "Alec wasn't happy anywhere he went. He didn't know what he wanted, but he knew what everyone else did. I wish he had wanted me. The world is a strange place, full of strange people. Love is but a mere illusion, a warmth we all crave but can't govern."

"There's a saying, isn't there? Plenty of fish in the sea," Kaid replied, knowing she was still heartbroken. He didn't know if he had said the phrase as accurately as possible, but by the slight smile returning to her lips, his message got across.

"I think you and I both know we can't possibly control who we fall in love with, Kaid," she remarked.

"No...that we cannot."